Life is Better With Ethics
This occasional podcast series previews upcoming events in the center's programming, highlights ethics-related activities around campus and the wider community, and initiates conversations about timely topics with an ethical dimension.
Latest Episodes
Angie Moe, a professor of sociology at Western Michigan University, joined host Olivia Munoz, the WMU Ethics Center's intern, on December 2, 2024. They talked about the role of therapy dogs, how to ensure access to their services and how to treat the dogs ethically. Dr. Moe, who specializes in interpersonal victimization and trauma-informed survivorship, works with the Therapy Dog Clinic at Western Michigan University. Produced and edited by Olivia Munoz.
The Ladies Library Association's Abolitionist History
Sharon Carlson, president of the Ladies Library Association in Kalamazoo, joined host Ashley Atkins, Ethics Center affiliate and associate professor in the Western Michigan University Department of Philosophy, on November 20, 2024. They talked about the association’s abolitionist history. The Ladies Library Association was only the third women’s club in the United States and the first public library in Kalamazoo. Produced and edited by Olivia Munoz.
Dr. Mark Hoipkemier, assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, joined host Sandra Borden, director of the WMU Ethics Center, on June 14, 2024. He delivered the keynote address for a workshop co-sponsored by the Center and the Department of Public Communication at the University of Navarra titled Toward Flourishing: A Theoretical Reset for Journalism Ethics on June 6-7, 2024. Participants gathered to consider how journalism’s political function could be oriented toward the common good. Produced by Ignacio Llarena Rodriguez. Edited by McGwire Hidden.
Valerie Hudson, George H.W. Bush Chair and professor of international affairs in the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, presents her talk, "The First Political order: How Sex Shapes Governance and National Security Worldwide". This is a recording of the 2024 Winnie Veenstra Peace Lecture from April 2, 2024.
Tommie Shelby, Caldwell Titcomb Professor of African and African American Studies and of Philosophy at Harvard University, joined host Ashley Atkins, associate professor in the Department of Philosophy and an Ethics Center Affiliate, on February 26, 2024. They talked about arguments for and against prison abolition and prison reform, the topic of Dr. Shelby's book "The Idea of Prison Abolition" as well as a talk he did for the Ethics Center in Fall 2023. Produced and edited by Daniel Kosacz.
Between Violence and Resistance
This episode is a recording of the 2023 Winnie Veenstra Peace Lecture on October 26, 2023. Edgar Franco-Vivanco presented his talk, “Between Violence and Resistance: The Challenges of Latin America in the 21st Century,”, where he examines the role of colonialism and US foreign policy in shaping violence in Latin America.
Decolonizing Digital Hegemonies
Lusike Mukhongo, associate professor in the School of Communication at Western Michigan University, joins host and ethics center intern, Olivia Munoz, on November 3, 2023, to discuss her upcoming talk on the decolonization of digital hegemonies. Produced and edited by Daniel Kosacz.
Check out our archive to listen to previous episodes.